Volunteering Matters Give More Get More

Submitted by Marian on Fri, 08/09/2017 - 2:10pm

Volunteering Matters are looking for volunteers over the age of 50 for this exciting new project in Coventry!

Volunteering Matters has recently been awarded funding for a new, innovative project called Give More Get More, this project is being piloted in Coventry, Hackney, Suffolk and Essex. It is due to start in Coventry this autumn. They are looking for people aged 50 and over, who have the capacity and inclination to support a young disabled person leaving full time education and transitioning in to the next stage of their life, for up to 10-12 hours a week for a set time period of three months.

They know that there is a gap in focused impartial support for young disabled people and their families after education. Not everyone has access to the advice and guidance needed to plan their next stage in life and this can lead to feeling lonely and unfulfilled or even returning to the care system in the future due to a deterioration of skills or health. But this does not have to be the case.

Give More Get More is an intergenerational project and looking to utilise the skills, networks and experiences of older volunteers to enable young disabled people to make the most of their talents and set achievable goals for the future.

Over the three month period, Give More Get More volunteers will mentor a young disabled person, with the aim of helping them to produce an action plan for their next steps at the end of their time together. This time includes training from the National Development Team for Inclusion and support for the volunteer, and has the potential to see huge positive rewards for beneficiary and volunteer alike.